Mika

Music

What to Download: New Music Today

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores.

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores. So I take a spin through each week's music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download.

Still rockin': I was surprised when I heard that Pearl Jam was releasing an album exclusively through Target this past Sunday — huh?! — but Backspacer is a solid, mature showing from the heralded band. The songs are full of introspective lyrics, like an older and wiser Eddie Vedder reflecting back on his life, but most of the tracks are fast-paced with a tinge of punk sound. While a bit of head-banging is fun, I've always preferred Pearl Jam's ballads like "Black" over their heavier stuff, so I'll be downloading "Just Breathe" and "The End."

Still waters run deep: Yesterday, we got word that indie artists Sea Wolf made it onto the New Moon soundtrack; now comes their sophomore full-length effort White Water, White Bloom, a mellow album of romanticism. (Perfect for Edward and Bella, no?) Every track has gorgeous storytelling imagery, as singer-songwriter Alex Brown Church constantly weaves in water themes (as his album title and band name hint). The result is something dreamy and lush to listen to on a lazy, sunny day. My favorite tracks: "Wicked Blood," "Dew in the Grass," and "The Orchard."

One more up next, so read more

Humor

Is Mika the New (and Improved) Sir Mix-a-Lot?

Back in the '90s, Sir Mix-a-Lot sang the praises of ladies with big butts and "rump 'o smooth skin."

Back in the '90s, Sir Mix-a-Lot sang the praises of ladies with big butts and "rump 'o smooth skin." His message countered the prevailing notions of beauty — hallelujah! — but his overtly sexual lyrics sang a tune of objectification. Now enter Mika. He's the British heartthrob who released a catchy anthem last year to celebrate the beauty of big women. He's not only complimentary, but respectful and adorable. It takes a big man to pull all this off. Love him!

Nicole Richie

Celebs Party After Closing Time at Stella McCartney's Boutique

After walking the red carpet at the Costume Institute Gala with Kate Moss in her design, Stella McCartney kept the celebrity party going on the West Coast with a screening of The Party.

After walking the red carpet at the Costume Institute Gala with Kate Moss in her design, Stella McCartney kept the celebrity party going on the West Coast with a screening of The Party. Nicole, Joel, Charlize, and Stuart were just a handful of the stars that came out to watch the movie in Stella's LA boutique. Stella's already set her sights on designing a dress for another starlet who wasn't in the house — she wants to make Scarlett Johansson's wedding gown even though the bride doesn't know it yet. She joked about her vision last night, saying, "You know, some kind of dodgy, black thing. Latex! Latex for Scarlett!" We wonder how Ryan would feel about that.

To see a lot more pictures including Angie Harmon looking cute in color, Eliza Dushku, and Rashida Jones, just read more

Seal

Very Few Fashion Whammys With the Men at the Grammys

The guys went mostly classy at last night's Grammy awards with a few exceptions — I'm looking at your leather suit, Daughtry.

The guys went mostly classy at last night's Grammy awards with a few exceptions — I'm looking at your leather suit, Daughtry. Perennially well-dressed John Legend and Jay-Z were highlights as always and Seal isn't afraid to take a risk. This time that risk included tight white pants and Velcro shoes. Chris Brown kept it appropriately youthful with his suit, though he didn't make his red and white look totally patriotic by walking the red carpet with his rumored flame Rihanna in blue. Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg was so stern, what happened to his usual smile? So what about you, any favorite boys on the red carpet? Lots more Grammy fun to come, but in case you missed it, check out the full list of winners here.

To see more from the red carpet including Josh Groban, Tim McGraw, Elijah Kelley, Slash, Dave Grohl, Mark Ronson and others just read more

Jared Leto

Munich Is Alive With the Sound of Music Awards

Last night Munich was abuzz with music sensations for the MTV Euro Music Awards.

Last night Munich was abuzz with music sensations for the MTV Euro Music Awards. There were singers and performers from all over the world, but the night belonged to a Canadian, Avril Lavigne, winning both Most Addictive Track for "Girlfriend" and Solo Performer of 2007. Apparently, hats were the dress code for dudes, as evidenced by the Madden brothers, Jared Leto, Snoop and Pete Doherty. Bella wants to know what color hair you like best on Joss Stone, but really that was the least of her worries here. Speaking of Kate Moss' ex, he was about a million times more clean than usual and spoke on the red carpet about the reason for his new sobriety. He said, "Yeh, it's all different now. I don't know ... God, and melody." Not as sober, sadly, was Amy Winehouse, who was a shell of herself performing on stage and accepted the Artists' Choice Award with a measly "Thanks." Girlfriend needs help, and I hope she gets it before too late.

To see more of the event including the Foo Fighters, Joss Stone, Lily Cole, Michael Stipe, Wyclef, Shaggy and everyone above just read more

Music

Music Video: MIKA, "Happy Ending"

Oh, MIKA. Even when you're sad you make me happy.

Oh, MIKA. Even when you're sad you make me happy. How does that happen? "Happy Ending" isn't an altogether happy song, but watching MIKA's new video for it brings tears of joy to my eyes. Seriously.

He's just so sweet-seeming, and the video is so whimsical and dreamy. It may be too trippy for some people, but I love the balloons carrying a gloomy MIKA into space and the Labyrinth-style hands making singing mouths. But the real reason I've watched this video several times over? The singing stuffed animals.

So to watch the MIKA video for "Happy Ending," read more

Ugly Betty

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

Tell me: Do celebrity causes inspire you to do good deeds?

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TV

Mika Meets "Ugly Betty" for "Betty Girl" Video

It's always nice when two things I really like merge together, and that's exactly why I'm getting a kick out of the new collaboration between "Ugly Betty" and Mika.

It's always nice when two things I really like merge together, and that's exactly why I'm getting a kick out of the new collaboration between "Ugly Betty" and Mika. For a promotional video for the series' second season — one of 11 ABC plans to make for its shows — Mika re-recorded a new version of his hit song "Big Girl" with lyrics focusing on Betty (the new version is aptly titled "Betty Girl"). Then, the song took a starring role in two videos: one more traditional music video with scenes from the show's first season, and one shorter promo with the cast goofing around in a colorful woodland setting.

Of the two, I'm more excited about the promo, which shows Betty cheering up a gray, rainy world just by putting her red glasses on. You can see both videos, plus a behind-the-scenes clip from the making of the promo, if you read more

Music

Music Video: Mika, "Grace Kelly"

Love him or hate him, Mika is blowing up the UK music charts, and now his infectious, perky pop is making its way to the US.

Love him or hate him, Mika is blowing up the UK music charts, and now his infectious, perky pop is making its way to the US. He just released video for his first single, "Grace Kelly," a power ballad inspired by Freddie Mercury that will find its way into your head whether you like it or not. (I, for instance, sort of hate this song, yet I am strangely transfixed by it.)

The relentless catchiness combined with Mika's nerd chic could make his debut album, Life in Cartoon Motion, a huge hit when it comes out Feb. 8. I already posted another Mika track, called "Relax," and to watch the video for "Grace Kelly," read more

Coldplay

Buzz News Roundup, 1/29

The movie-going populace disappoints me by making Epic Movie No.